How the Chargers Defense is Preparing for Commanders QB Jayden Daniels in His Return

Oct 02, 2025 at 04:18 PM

Omar Navarro

Jr. Writer

The Chargers defense will get their latest quarterback test when the Commanders come to town in Week 5.

Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels, the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, is slated to make his return to the field this week as the unit prepares to face him for the first time in his young career.

And there's plenty to prepare for with Daniels.

"He's a great player at all facets of quarterback play," Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh said about Daniels. "He's really, really good… A lot of respect for him."

Daniels was medically cleared heading into this week's bout against the Chargers, according to Commanders Head Coach Dan Quinn, and has been a full participant in both practices so far this week.

The 24-year-old quarterback has missed the last two games for Washington after suffering a knee injury in their Week 2 game against the Packers and is now inline to make his return Sunday afternoon at SoFi Stadium.

Although it's just his second season in the NFL, Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter sees a quarterback who has shown great poise because of his collegiate path and long resume of game experience that has made the transition look seamless.

"Electric. This is a guy, similar to a few of the quarterbacks that have come out the last couple of years, where they've played five, six years of college football," Minter said about Daniels. "I would say different than traditional rookies of years past, the guys that played a ton of college football.

"They come in and more ready to play then maybe a guy that goes three and out and is a one- or two-year starter," Minter added. "He's seen a lot, he's played two different schools, was super productive at both places."

Derwin James, Jr. added: "He definitely looks comfortable, poised, in and out of his reads and making good reads. We got our hands full. We'll be ready."

Daniels is coming off one of the most impressive rookie seasons in NFL history.

The quarterback threw for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions as well as rushed for 891 yards and six touchdowns. He also set the NFL rookie quarterback rushing yards record and the Commanders rookie passing yards record with those figures.

He also became the only rookie in NFL history to post 3,500-plus passing yards and 750-plus rushing yards in a season.

Of his 25 passing scores, 12 came in the fourth quarter or overtime, which was also good for a league record.

He did it all as a rookie and showed how tough he was to defend.

"Last year he took the year by storm," Minter said. "He was really in the MVP conversation, obviously Rookie of the Year, had his team in the NFC Championship Game. It's a major challenge both what he can do with his arm and his legs.

"He can stand back there and make all the throws, and he can take your soul on quarterback scrambles in key situations," Minter added. "It's a major focus, something we have to improve on I would say, being better against those types of quarterbacks scrambling."